US Coast Guard Auxiliary,1st District-SR, Division 24, Flotilla 02, Stratford, CT

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Welcomes Americans Looking to Answer President’s Call to Service

WASHINGTON, President Obama has called the nation to service. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary have been answering that

call for nearly 70 years.

Auxiliarists have answered America’s call following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav

and Ike. Most recently the Auxiliary, America's Volunteer Guardians, were on the waterways in the Capital region in support of the

Presidential Inauguration.

Although none of the “Miracle on the Hudson,” rescuers included Auxiliarists, some of the rescuers did included the Officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department’s, LaGuardia Airport Marine Unit. Those police officers were trained by the men

and women of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, through the Small Boat Course for Local Law Enforcement, a program run through the Office of

the Director of Auxiliary, First Coast Guard District Southern Region.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in

1939. The Auxiliary supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a perfect fit for those American’s looking to answer the President’s call to service. Membership is open to U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, and able to pass a basic background check. There is no upper age limits or height/weight restrictions,

although for operational activities, members must be physically able to perform certain tasks.

Vessel Examiners train, qualify and then perform complimentary safety checks of recreational boats, ensuring that they meets both federal and state requirements for safety.

No citations are issued and the results of the safety check are not reported to any enforcement agency, but a decal is awarded to display if the vessel has passed the examination.

The mission of the Education Department of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary is to provide exceptional boating safety education to the American public. Our courses are taught by experienced and knowledgeable instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast Guard.

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is the most dominant single organization offering Recreational Boating Safety education, hands down! Through our combined efforts, we educate over 150,000 people every year in an effort for them share the waters in a safe manner.

The Boat Crew Training Program is at the heart of most flotilla activities. Boat Crew members and Coxswains are qualified in accordance with the Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual. The Coxswain requests and receives orders for a patrol that is multi-mission in nature. Patrols are carried out in accordance with the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual.

After completion of training and having knowledge and skills approved by a Qualifications Examiner, a member may be certified by the District Director of Auxiliary as Crew in the Boat Crew Program. Boat Crew members perform their duties under supervision of a Coxswain. They stand helm, lookout, towing watches and anchor watch as well as other tasks that may be directed by the Coxswain.